19 Documentaries You’ll Love If You’re Obsessed With The Bold Type

Freeform's The Bold Type was a runaway hit. Like any modern, millennial woman, you probably lusted after the main character's careers, friendships and wardrobes. The show shared an inside look at the very competitive magazine industry while tackling tough topics like sexuality, identity, and health.
If you're missing the ladies of Scarlet in between seasons (I know we are!), check out these documentaries while you went for them to return.

1. The September Issue

Roadside Attractions

What does it take to produce a fashion magazine? What about the largest, most recognizable fashion publication in the world? The September Issue will walk you through the intricate details, last minute changes and disagreements that have to happen in order to create an iconic fall issue of Vogue Magazine. You'll learn about editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's creative process, her relationship with then-creative director Grace Coddington and how a veritable fashion bible gets made.

2. Iris

Maysles Films, Inc.

Th fashion world is known for celebrating some pretty out-there personalities, but there's no one as unforgettable as Iris Apfel. She started her career as an interior designer known for her outrageous style. Now, well into her nineties, she's a fashion icon and noted vintage collector. Get ready to have some major closet envy while watching this doc. There's no way she won't inspire you to take more personal style risks.

3. In Vogue: The Editor's Eye

HBO Documentary Films

If you've always wondered how high fashion editorial images get made, you'll love this documentary. You'll get to know some of the most discerning and knowledgeable fashion editors in the industry, see the behind-the-scenes details of iconic photoshoots and dive into the archives of Vogue's history.

4. House of Z

Ideal Partners

Zac Posen is a force in the fashion industry, but he hasn't always been at the top. As a young designer, he had an extremely successful start but soon experienced a *very* public fall from grace. Through exclusive photos and videos, you'll learn more about the work he had to do recreate his personal and public reputation to become the iconic designer to the stars that he is today.

5. Everything is Copy

HBO Documentary Films

The ladies of The Bold Type weren't shy about their love of the late writer, director and journalist, Nora Ephron. The film, which was written and directed by her son, explores her philosophy that "everything is copy." What she means is that every experience can serve as writing inspiration. Creating the film also served as a way to for her son, Jacob Bernstein to cope with the grief of losing his mother.
Her writing allows him to spend more time with her after her passing.

6. Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel

Gloss Studio

Before the famed Anna Wintour came Diana Vreeland. The columnist and editor first joined Harper's Bazaar in the late '50s and then became editor-in-chief of Vogue in 1963. This documentary dives into her history with fashion, her unique aesthetic and her forward-thinking eye for trends.

7. Mademoiselle C

Roadside Attractions

If you love fashion, there's no way you haven't heard of Carine Roitfeld. The former editor-in-chief of French Vogue and noted fashion stylist is a tastemaker known for taking risks. Mademoiselle C chronicles her move to New York City and her decision to producer her own magazine, CR Fashion Book. If you love powerful women killin' it in the industry (and you do — because, hellloooo, The Bold Type), you'll love this one!

8. Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf's

Berney Films

What makes window shopping turn into a full-blown spending spree in no time at all? It's obviously all about the gorgeous display that was calling out to you. If you think the windows in your local mall are beautifully put together, just wait until you watch Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's. Thanks to interviews with famous fashion designers, you'll learn about the history of the iconic department store Bergford's and its legacy. Then, you'll get to see all the hard work that goes into creating the traffic-stopping winter window displays that Bergdorf's is known for.

9. #chicagogirl: The Social Network Takes On A Dictator

Spirit Level Film

Although she's a supporting character, Adena's storyline in The Bold Type is one of the most powerful. The same can be said for that of Alaa Basatneh, the star of #chicagogirl. The high-school freshman began using social media to expose the brutal conflict in Syria to a global audience. Basatneh became the face of a revolution using social platforms.

10. Page One: Inside The New York Times

Participant Media

Many writers dream of one day being published in The New York Times. This documentary gives you an inside look at what the lives of NYT writers are really like. Taking place over the course of one year, this documentary shares the process of three writers at very different stages of their careers. Prospective writers, watch this one for a lot of information!

11. Miss Representation

The Representation Project

The media is often blamed for creating unrealistic expectations for women. While The Bold Type is breaking down boundaries to show empowered young women, Miss Representation clearly lays out why this is SO necessary.

Oftentimes, the media's power over us is so subtle that it's hard to notice. The aim of Miss Representation is to uncover the way that the media influences culture when it comes to expectations of beauty, health, relationships and more. It'll inspire a new pride in you for loving The Bold Type for sure.

12. The Tents

Marcus K. Jones Productions

Have you ever wanted to know more about fashion week than what an influencer's front row Instagram photo could tell you? Check out The Tents for an in-depth fashion history lesson. With exclusive interviews and backstage footage, this is a documentary no fashion girl will want to miss!

13. Valentino: The Last Emperor

Truly Indie

We all know Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani as the head of Valentino — known for being an iconic international fashion brand. But what happens when the man behind the brand is done with fashion? This documentary will take you through Valentino's final fashion show. While the movie is great for the fashion industry information, Valentino's partnership with business buddy, Giancarlo Giammetti is just as intriguing.

14. Bill Cunningham New York

First Thought Films

Bill Cunningham, the street style photographer behind the New York Times' style section, is an interesting character. You'll learn about his influence in the fashion world, get a glimpse at his personal life and understand his unique philosophy about the way we dress: "Fashion is the armor to survive everyday life."

15. The True Cost

Life Is My Movie Entertainment Company

Retailers who deal in fast fashion have made trendy, affordable clothing accessible to all, but at what cost? This doc uncovers the shocking reality of where our clothing comes from and who really pays the price for our "I want it now attitude."

16. About Face: Supermodels Then and Now

HBO Documentary Films

Basically a where are they now?-type documentary for some of the biggest names in fashion back in the day. In this documentary, the world's most famous supermodels from way back take on common misconceptions, society's view of women and how they're learning to embrace their age now that they're out of the fashion industry. The women, who are now between ages 50 and 80, bring a whole new meaning to the word beauty.

17. Unzipped

Miramax

Fashion documentaries tend to be quite serious, but Unzipped takes a more playful approach. In this 1995 film, designer Isaac Mizrahi shares the inspiration for his fall 1994 collection. You'll see the work that goes into creating each piece and feel major nostalgia for the era.

18. The First Monday in May

Magnolia Pictures

If you didn't already know it was a big deal, The Met Gala is "the Super Bowl of social fashion events," according to Andre Leon Talley. While you may only watch some red carpet coverage or look at a few photo galleries to pick and choose your personal best and worst dressed celebs, The First Monday in May will take you inside The Met Gala. You'll see what it takes to put together the event, how celebrities prepare and the controversies created by the fashion and art being celebrated.

19. Chasing Beauty

Go Digital

The modeling world has always seemed glamorous, but underneath its shiny exterior lies a truly ugly underbelly. This documentary shares the allure of the beauty industry and the pits that many models fall into.

In this documentary, you'll hear from models who went from fashion to sex work, struggled with mental health issues and were dangerously underweight. Despite all of this, they were incredibly successful. You'll have to watch to find out why.